Page 24 of Make No Mistake

Well there went my jeans and hoodie idea. She looked at me for a moment before stepping farther into my room and pushing me out of her way to get to the closet.

She studied my wardrobe for a few seconds before grabbing her selections.

“Wear this or this.” The options were a peach T-shirt dress or a gray Oxford shirt. She was slowly trying to turn me into her … if only I had the will to fight back. I grabbed the dress and slid it on before grabbing wedges out of my closet.

“Perfect, you look great.” Of course, she thought so, it was something she would wear.

“So is Jay coming?” She tried to sound casual while playing with her necklace, but I knew what she was up to.

I faced her with my hands on my hips. This was about as intimidating as I could be with her. “I’m sure Carter already told you. Isn’t that why you’re playing dress up with me?”

She dropped her necklace and sighed as if I was exhausting her. “You can’t live in jeans, Mckayla.”

“Actually …”

“No!” She turned and fled before I could finish arguing.

I knew what this was really about, even if she refused to come clean.

Thanks to Carter, who had planted the idea of me and Jay becoming an item a few weeks ago, Aubrey now thought it was her divine mission on earth to see that it became a reality. I appreciated her effort, well I didn’t resent it, but Jay and I has been friends for too long to consider being something else. Plus, he was still friends with Sean. It would be weird.

I followed her out of my room just as there was a knock at the front door. Carter let himself in before we got to the kitchen. He looked the way he always did. Effortlessly put together and handsome enough to drive girls crazy. Luckily for her, Aubrey claimed him years ago and they’d been madly in love ever since.

“Hello, ladies.” He moved in and caught Aubrey around her waist to give her a kiss. Adorable, sickeningly adorable. “Are you guys ready to leave?”

Aubrey leaned against the kitchen counter and smiled up at him. “No, we’re waiting for Jay.” Her attempt at a discrete wink was ridiculous.

Carter looked at me for a second before returning his attention to her. “Oh really? How interesting.”

These two needed more excitement in their lives so they didn’t have to create drama in mine.

“Not interesting, Carter. Just like every other night we’ve hung out. We’re just friends.”

“For now, Mac, for now.”

There was a second knock on the door, saving me from any more awkward inferences. I hoped.

I hurried to the door before Carter could get to it and let Jay in. His gaze quickly took me in and he smiled.

“Wow! You look great!”

Despite what I’d just been telling Carter and Aubrey, it was nice to hear him say that. I mean, I was wearing heels for him. For him? Was I dressing up for myself or for him? Oh gosh. Aubrey was in my head already.

“Thanks. You clean up nice.” He really did. He’d taken his normal jeans and T-shirt look up a notch with a fitted button-up shirt and his hair had obviously been styled.

Cater and Aubrey appeared next to us and he began ushering us out. “Hurry, we have a reservation to make.” Aubrey winked at me, again not so discrete.

We climbed into Carter’s car for the short drive to Chop. Aubrey tried to change the radio station which began a debate about music. While they were occupied, Jay learned toward me.

“Thanks for inviting me. I feel like we haven’t hung out outside of the office in a while.”

His smile seemed so genuine. It was, but I couldn’t let myself believe it meant anything other than friendship.

“I’m glad you could make it out. I can only handle being their third wheel every so often.”

“They’re not that bad. I’ve been out with some couples that either fight the whole time or can’t keep their hands off each other.”

I looked forward and realized their debate was over. Now they were holding hands and quietly talking.